Assam violence: 102 police cases filed, NIA probe begins

Assam Police has registered 102 cases over the recent violence that left 81 people dead and over two lakh homeless, while the NIA has also started investigating the attacks, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said Saturday.

Gogoi said 58 people have been arrested so far for their links with the violence unleashed by Bodo militants, he said.

"We have handed over four cases to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and they have already started investigation. Police have registered 102 cases regarding the violence and more cases will be handed over to the NIA later," he said.

"The toll has reached 81. Three people are missing in the violence-affected areas."

The security forces were doing their best to nab the culprits behind the violence, he added.

Cadres of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) faction opposed to peace talks had attacked adivasis in five locations in Kokrajhar, Chirang and Sonitpur districts Dec 23. Those killed include 21 women and 19 children.

The fear of further attacks forced thousands of people to desert their houses and take shelter in relief camps.

The violence led to a backlash in Udalguri district and assailants set many houses on fire, triggering displacement there too.

The chief minister Saturday said the situation was returning to normalcy and the displaced people had started going back to their houses.

"We have set up police pickets in the violence-affected areas to ensure security for all. There were 2.9 lakh people in 136 relief camps initially. However, as of now we have only 1.82 lakh in 102 relief camps in the four districts," Gogoi said.